AEK receive fine and three-game suspension for incidents before Reggio Emilia game / News - Basketnews.com

The Basketball Champions League Single Judge has ordered AEK Athens to play three home games behind closed doors after the incidents that took place before the game vs. Reggio Emilia last week.

Credit: InTime Sports Credit InTime Sports

The serious incidents that took place before the tip-off of the BCL contest featuring AEK AthensandPallacanestro Reggiana a week ago (Dec. 7) didn't go unnoticed or unpunished.

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The Basketball Champions League Single Judge has decided that the following sanctions shall be imposed on AEK:

a) playing the next three BCL home games behind closed doors;

b) a fine of EUR 10,000.

The sanctions will apply immediately, starting with the next scheduled BCL home game (AEK v Pinar Karsiyaka, Dec 21). If AEK beat Karsiyaka and make it to the play-ins (where the will probably be facing either the Turkish team or Reggio with home-court advantage in a best-of-three series), they'll play their home games without fans.

It remains to be seen whether the Greek side (currently at 2-3 in the group) will appeal the decision. "The legal service of AEK BC examines all the possibilities of exercising its legal rights," according to the club's announcement.

Credit InTime Sports

Per the same announcement, if the sanctions remain, the season ticket holders will receive a ticket gift (for another person of their choice) for the next three home games in the Greek Basket League, vs. PAOK, Peristeri and Lavrio.

Reggio Emilia came to Greece with 15 fans on their side, but a few minutes before the scheduled tip-off time, some wild scuffles took place at the Ano Liosia Olympic hall when AEK fans opened two fire extinguishers and tried to attack their Italian counterparts.

Fans exchanged punches and kicks, while the two clubs had to call an ambulance to care for those injured in the brawl.

According to several reports, police forces were absent when the incidents occurred, as fans were fighting for about 5 minutes. Reggio's management asked for a stretcher, while chairs and various objects were thrown at the press tribune and the VIP area.

The tip-off was delayed and the Italian side asked to leave the installation and for the game to be postponed. FIBA rejected their petition, and the contest started with a 15-minute delay (18:45 CET instead of 18:30).

With the intervention of the police, the situation was somewhat normalized. At the end of the first quarter, policemen escorted the Italian fans out of the gym through the tunnel.

"Pallacanestro Reggiana expresses all its disappointment and outrage for the brutal attack suffered in the pre-game by the 15 supporters present within the guest sector of the Ano Liossa Olympic hall. The company immediately informed the competent authorities of the incident," the Italian club's announcement reads.

The attack was condemned by AEK Athens as well. The Greek side issued an announcement, stating that "the few unknown persons who insulted the values of AEK and were involved in an episode with fans of the guest team are not welcome in our house."

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